Castanospermum

/ˌkæstəˌnoʊˈspɜːrməm/ noun

Definition

A genus of tropical Australian trees with large seeds, sometimes called black bean trees or Moreton Bay chestnuts.

Etymology

From 'Castanea' (chestnut) plus Greek 'sperma' meaning seed, because the trees produce seeds resembling chestnuts.

Kelly Says

Scientists named this Australian tree 'Castanospermum' because the seeds looked like chestnuts to early European botanists—showing how explorers imposed familiar European references onto completely different ecosystems.

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